Asheville Citizen-Times' Report Card

The Report Card issues grades A through F, and incompletes where necessary, to a variety of news items in this space. Got an idea that makes the grade? Send it to JBuchanan@CITIZEN-TIMES.com

F to the U.S. House for last week's vote to slash the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by $40 billion over the next 10 years.

The vote seemed to come about on the theory put forth by the likes of Rep. Steve King, an Iowa Republican who says cuts will "ensure that while you have a safety net, you shouldn't be giving welfare benefits to people who are able-bodied and capable of getting a job, who just choose to continue to get food stamps when they can actually go and work." Food Stamp spending has in fact risen drastically in recent years, and now more than 47 million Americans rely on them to keep hunger at bay.

But the numbers are up because the economy is down, and the spending per person isn't lavish. Average allotments are about $130 a month; teens and children make up half the recipients, seniors represent 10 percent of the total and many recipients hold jobs but simply don't make much money. There are about 900,000 veterans receiving assistance, 170,000 of whom would lose it under the House measure. If Congress wants to get people off food stamps it should start with getting people jobs. Currently there are three job seekers for every opening. Simply put, more people are now on food stamps because more people need them. The only good thing about the House vote is that it was another meaningless gesture that will die in the Senate.

D to the latest jobs report for North Carolina. On the surface it was positive, with unemployment dropping from 8.9 percent to 8.7 percent. Below the surface the report was far less encouraging. The jobless rate dipped as the labor force dropped by 12,300 as workers gave up on hunting for a job and are no longer counted. Nonfarm employment contracted by around 1,700 jobs. About a quarter of new jobs in the state were in leisure and hospitality services, which pays on average only $8.30 an hour. Government sector jobs, which pay an average of $21 an hour, are down 12,000 over the last year. A lot of numbers are headed in the wrong direction.

A to Sgt. William D. Brown III's service to his country. Brown, a soldier from Franklin, died last week in Afghanistan, where he had been serving as a health care specialist since July. Brown, 44, was part of the 10th Mountain Division, stationed at Fort Polk, La., with the 94th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team. Brown died in Gamberi, on Thursday in a "non-combat related incident," according to a news release from the military. Brown's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal and a Certificate of Achievement, the release states.

A to Asheville city government for soliciting proposals for what its staff calls a "signature event or festival" to take the place of Bele Chere. Today council will consider a draft "request for information" inviting organizations to propose events "that most closely reflect our community's interest and promote the Asheville brand as a whole." Even if the answer to "what should replace Bele Chere'' is "nothing,'' it would be an interesting conversation.

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Asheville Citizen-Times' Report Card

F to the U.S. House for last week's vote to slash the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by $40 billion over the next 10 years.